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Hmm, now this is an interesting approach. I wish it could be applied in NZ to help our endemic species deal with mustelids, but it would be highly contingent o

Hmm, now this is an interesting approach. I wish it could be applied in NZ to help our endemic species deal with mustelids, but it would be highly contingent on the breeding rate of the prey species - bilbies and boodies (god I love Australian names for things) are pretty prolific breeders if conditions are right, but our highly vulnerable species[1][2] are the polar opposite, most likely an adaptation to prevent overpopulation. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_spotted_kiwi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_spotted_kiwi [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakapo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakapo After all, if you're nocturnal, and camouflaged, then your avian predators are going to have a hard time finding you, so your next problem is outgrowing your food supply, so breed slower. Also doesn't help that these species have very distinct scents. People I worked with as a ranger had specific overalls that they put on when handling kiwi because you could apparently never get the kiwi smell out. Kakapo apparently smell sorta mouldy, sorta fruity. Mammals are great at hunting by scent, birds hunt by sight, hence why introduced mustelids and dogs (and to a lesser extent, cats) massacred many of our birds.

KineticLensman 6y ago
> birds hunt by sight Many owls hunt by hearing, notably the Great Grey Owl [0] whose facial disk is essentially an antenna dish mounted on the front of their heads. They can locate prey hiding under snow, for example. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_grey_owl#Feeding https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_grey_owl#Feeding
- EdwardDiego 6y ago
  Ah, you're right, I rather over generalised there, more correctly it's "the avian predators they evolved to avoid, hunt by sight". The native ruru/morepork owl hunts by sound, and I'm assuming the extinct endemic laughing owl hunted by sound also. (Apparently, it preferred to hunt on foot...!) But neither owl predated birds larger than a passerine.
  - KineticLensman 6y ago
    I also find it fascinating that many owls have evolved silent flight to avoid giving themselves away to prey with good hearing, even if the lack of preen-oil required makes them vulnerable to waterlogging in wet weather. (Thank you for introducing me to the Laughing Owl, although I was saddened to read that it's now extinct)

KineticLensman 6y ago

> birds hunt by sight Many owls hunt by hearing, notably the Great Grey Owl [0] whose facial disk is essentially an antenna dish mounted on the front of their heads. They can locate prey hiding under snow, for example. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_grey_owl#Feeding https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_grey_owl#Feeding

EdwardDiego 6y ago
Ah, you're right, I rather over generalised there, more correctly it's "the avian predators they evolved to avoid, hunt by sight". The native ruru/morepork owl hunts by sound, and I'm assuming the extinct endemic laughing owl hunted by sound also. (Apparently, it preferred to hunt on foot...!) But neither owl predated birds larger than a passerine.
- KineticLensman 6y ago
  I also find it fascinating that many owls have evolved silent flight to avoid giving themselves away to prey with good hearing, even if the lack of preen-oil required makes them vulnerable to waterlogging in wet weather. (Thank you for introducing me to the Laughing Owl, although I was saddened to read that it's now extinct)